Keith Fieldwick was convicted of producing a controlled drug

More than 600 cannabis plants were found growing in four huge polytunnels in the grounds, Lewes Crown Court heard this week.

Three men found inside the Mill Lane property have now been convicted of cannabis production and could face up to 14 years in prison.

Keith Fieldwick, 54, of Denbigh Road in Hooe, and Thomas O’Brien, 56, of Shrub Lane in Burwash were each found guilty of producing a controlled drug today after a trial. Michael Hill, 74, of High Street in Burwash pleaded guilty to the same charge before the trial began.

Thomas O'Brien was convicted alongside Fieldwick

Opening the case, prosecutor Gareth Burrows said the men were caught ‘red handed’ surrounded by cannabis plants and leaves when police raided the farm back on October 3, 2014.

The court heard that when officers arrived they found the site blocked by 10-12ft high gates. However they managed to kick their way through a fencing panel.

Mr Burrows continued: “Officers made their way along the path to the house and they entered through the door shouting police as they entered.

“In similar fashion two of the bathrooms had been used to dry out cannabis.”

But it wasn’t until officers searched the grounds that the full scale of the operation was revealed. Outside were four large polytunnels and the remains of the fifth.

Up to 161 feet in length and 12 feet high, all four polytunnels were filled with evidence of cannabis production and large numbers of cannabis plants.

A total of 601 cannabis plants were found in the tunnels, the court heard. The prosecution said that if allowed to fully grow the estimated street value would be between £240,000 and £721,200.

When questioned, Fieldwick said that he had not been living at the farm and had only discovered the previous day. He claimed that his tenant, a Daniel Barford, had been living there for several months. He said that O’Brien had introduced him to Barford.

However while council tax and water records indicate that a Daniel Barford was living at the address, police were unable to track down anyone by that name.

Thomas O’Brien told police that he went to the farm the day before with Fieldwick and was shocked to discover cannabis everywhere.

He said that they decided to build a fire and proceeded to do so, the court heard. He denied any knowledge of a Daniel Barford.